Friday, December 18, 2009

An Arizona music teacher whose students performed at a presidential inauguration event is on administrative leave after taking 40 high school students to a Hooters restaurant.

Paradise Valley school district spokeswoman Judi Willis says choir director Mary Segall accompanied the students to a performance in downtown Phoenix last week, and during the outing, they ate lunch at Hooters.

Willis says Segall explained that the restaurant, known for its waitresses' somewhat revealing attire, was the only place that could accommodate a group of that size. But district officials believe there were other options for lunch in the area. Segall could not be reached for comment.

Who is out of line here? The teacher or the school district? Leave your opinion...

Monday, December 7, 2009

I arrived at the address where someone had requested a taxi. I honked but no one came out. I honked again, nothing. So I walked to the door and knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets..

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, and then returned to assist the woman...

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated'.. 'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?''It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice'.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse. 'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said.

'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

Friday, November 27, 2009

The picture doesn't do it justice, but this is a picture of the plaque and pen I received for two years of service at the University of Phoenix. In the two years I have worked there, I have had 5 different desks, been on two different teams, and have worked in two different buildings. As of Monday, it will be desk # 6 and building # 3. Yes, we are moving to a brand new building on Priest and Washington. It is a nice building. My desk will be on the third floor. I will have a window to look out, but I am too far from it to really enjoy the surroundings outside. The biggest attraction would have been the light rail. I am going to miss the McDonald's and the Circle K that was by the old building (this is a good thing, I think), but we are pretty close to a Filberto's and Port of Subs. To get to them however, you have to cross both Priest and Washington, across the light rail. I was able to take Kyra last week to see the new building and to see my desk. It was fun walking around trying to find where my desk would be. It took us about five minutes, but we found it! Kyra found it before I did. I got to see where my team would be sitting and who I am sitting next to. The next day, I went to work and was talking about what I had seen. I found out that after I left work to go to the new building, an email was sent out to all of us telling us not to go to the new building before the next Monday! Oops! Sorry about that. The new building is about three miles from home and less that ten minutes by car. It will be too difficult to take the bus, but I might be able to ride a bike, as least when it is not too hot. I am grateful for my job and for my company. I still hope to move up into training, but all is good!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

President Abraham Lincoln declared the final Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving. Congress finally made Thanksgiving Day an official national holiday in 1941.

Minnesota is the top turkey-producing state in America, with a planned production total of 49 million in 2008.

The National Turkey Federation estimated that 46 million turkeys—one fifth of the annual total of 235 million consumed in the United States in 2007—were eaten at Thanksgiving.

88 percent of Americans said they eat turkey at Thanksgiving. The average weight of turkeys purchased for Thanksgiving is 15 pounds, which means some 690 million pounds of turkey were consumed in the U.S. during Thanksgiving in 2007.

The cranberry is one of only three fruits—the others are the blueberry and the Concord grape—that are entirely native to North American soil

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds and measured just over 12 feet long.

Originally known as Macy's Christmas Parade—to signify the launch of the Christmas shopping season—the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York City in 1924. It was launched by Macy's employees and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo. Today, some 3 million people attend the annual parade and another 44 million watch it on television.

Snoopy has appeared as a giant balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade more times than any other character in history. As the Flying Ace, Snoopy made his sixth appearance in the 2006 parade.

he first time the Detroit Lions played football on Thanksgiving Day was in 1934, when they hosted the Chicago Bears at the University of Detroit stadium, in front of 26,000 fans. The NBC radio network broadcast the game on 94 stations across the country--the first national Thanksgiving football broadcast. Since that time, the Lions have played a game every Thanksgiving (except between 1939 and 1944); in 1956, fans watched the game on television for the first time.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

This is why Manny Ramirez isn't a leader. Never has been, never will be.Where was Ramirez when Jimmy Rollins hit a walkoff double to seal a dramatic come-from-behind win in Game 4?

He was in the shower. His teammates were all watching the game; Ramirez was soaping it up. "I was out of the game and I went in and showered," Ramirez said. "When I came out, they were coming in and turning off the TVs.

"Well, at least you were nice and clean, Ramirez. Did you use soap or bodywash, Manny? You've got to be kidding me. It's the playoffs and Ramirez doesn't care enough to stick around and watch the end of the game?Nice attitude, nice heart, nice passion.Manny the Soapy.No wonder the Dodgers are going out like lambs.

Monday, October 19, 2009

I love baseball. I love to play baseball. I usually like to watch baseball. If it is the regular season, I can't watch too much on T.V., but I love to go and see it in person. Come playoff time, I like to watch the games. Usually. This year, the teams I wanted to be in the playoffs didn't fair too well. The Diamondbacks? Not even close. The Cubs? Please. The Twins made it in spectacular fashion, but got swept in the first round. The same for the Red Sox, lost in the first round. I have been watching the Angels and the Yankees (AKA The Evil Empire) series. So far, good games, but the Angels have come up short in the first two games.

Anyway, baseball has become hard to watch. The pace of the game is usually brutal, but this time of year, the stakes are so high that it is fun to watch. So, why is it so hard to watch? Three reasons:

1) Spitting. Really, do they have to spit as much as they do? Even the players who are not chewing tobacco are spitting? What are they spitting up? Luge's? Any time they have a close up of a player, they spit. Disgusting.

2) Scratching. It's horrible. The only thing players do more than spit is scratch themselves. I get it. The gear isn't the best. But really, do you need to "adjust" every time you are on camera? With the technology today, there has to be a more comfortable solution.

3) Thundersticks. For those of you who are not in the know, Thundersticks are long, narrow plastic balloons that are used as promotional noise makers. The noise is created when two thunder sticks are struck together. They were first used by the Angels in the 2002 World Series. These should have been prohibited by Major League Baseball. I am all for the cheering and supporting of your team, but this is ridiculous. They are too loud. Usually, crowd noise is an advantage to the home team and I usually say the louder the better. Clap, whistle, stomp, whatever you can produce is fine. But these Thundersticks go too far. They turn cheering on you team to just unbearable noise. It is no longer an advantage, it is a distraction to all. If you were to ask the players what they think, they would tell you the same thing. It disrupts the game. They should be banned!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Terrafugia has completed flight testing of the Transition POC (Proof of Concept). Introducing the Transition®. Simply land at the airport, fold your wings up and drive home.

Fly a distance of 450 miles at speeds of 75 MPH

The time required for the transition from plane to car takes less than 30 seconds. Vehicle speed 115 MPH, range is 450 miles on highways Vehicle is fueled with gasoline, and the price of the car is expected to be around $200,000. The first shipment will be in 2011.

Monday, October 12, 2009

All 50 states are listed across the top of the Lincoln Memorial on theback of the $5 bill.

Almonds are members of the peach family.

The maximum weight for a golf ball is 1.62 oz.

There are 336 dimples on a regulation golf ball.

Charlie Brown's father was a barber.

In Mel Brooks' 'Silent Movie,' mime Marcel Marceau is the only person who has a speaking role

An ostrich's eye is bigger than it's brain.

Deborah Winger did the voice of E.T.

In most advertisements, including newspapers, the time displayed on watch is 10:10.

Bob Dylan's real name is Robert Zimmerman.

When the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers play football at home, the stadium becomes the state's third largest city.

The characters Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in Frank Capra's "Its A Wonderful Life"

A quarter has 119 grooves around the edge.

A dime has 118 ridges around the edge.

It was discovered on a space mission that a frog can throw up. Thefrog throws up it's stomach first, so the stomach is dangling out of it's mouth. Then the frog uses it's forearms to dig out all of the stomach'scontents and then swallows the stomach back down again.

Certain frogs can be frozen solid then thawed, and continue living.

ABBA got their name by taking the first letter from each of their first names (Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny, Anni-frid.)

The name for Oz in the "Wizard of Oz" was thought up when the creator, Frank Baum, looked at his filing cabinet and saw A-N, and O-Z, hence "Oz."

The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.

The average person falls asleep in seven minutes.

To "testify" was based on men in the Roman court swearing to a statement made by swearing on their testicles.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

I am a big fan of Customer Service. It stems from the days of working at Ace Hardware. Everybody knows that Ace can't compete with the big box hardware stores when it comes to price. So how did we compete? Yep, customer service. We worked hard to provide the service customers needed. Ever walk into a Home Depot and get greeted by an employee that was willing to serve you? (not an official greeter). Nope. Chances are, if you do need help, you have to search for someone and most likely, the advice you get is questionable. So, when I come across great customer service, I recognize it. I try to make sure the person who has just succeeded in getting my attention is recognized. Ask my wife. She had had to wait a few times while I ask to talk to the person in charge. We all should do this when we can.

So, the purpose of this blog. McDonald's got my attention. All companies are looking or should be looking for that magic phrase that makes the customer feel wanted. Its not a big deal. But it goes a long way. Mickey D's has recently changed how they greet you when you get ready to order. At least at the location closest to my work. It used to be "can I help you?". Now, it's "what can I make you today?". Corny? A little. But it caught my attention. It made me feel like they cared. And that is the purpose. It's working. Hats off to the manager of my McDonald's that made the difference!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

The WNBA's Atlanta Dream is set to play their first home playoff game Friday night against Detroit at Philips Arena. But "Sesame Street Live" already had booked shows for next weekend at the downtown arena, so the Dream will play at Gwinnett Arena, about 25 miles northeast of Atlanta.

When asked how this will affect attendance, a rep has announced that all the team's fans have been notified, and that they will both be at the new arena.

The Dream tried everything they could to stay in the arena despite the conflict with Sesame Street LiveIn fact, they argued with promoters for several hours, claiming that few Sesame Street fans would even notice the game going on since so many of the WNBA's players look like Big Bird

During the US Open, Serena Williams angrily confronted the lineswoman who made a foul call, dropping the f-word liberally and, getting in her face and waving her racket and later the ball menacingly, saying, "I swear to God I'm [expletive] going to take this [expletive] ball and shove it down your [expletive] throat, you hear that? I swear to God."

Fans called Serena a disappointment, players called Serena a crybaby, and John McEnroe called Serena his new favorite player.

The Philadelphia Eagles elevated Michael Vick to the team's 53-man roster Tuesday, a move that allows the quarterback to practice with the team.

In fact, Vick will join the team just as soon as he gets a rabies shot and flea bath.

Cowboys spokesman Brett Daniels says the team's standing-room "Party Pass" tickets, at $29 apiece, have sold out. The Cowboys will say only that the standing-room total exceeds 20,000 fans.Combined with regular ticket sales in the 80,000-seat stadium, Dallas could challenge the NFL attendance record of 103,467 when they take on the New York Giants.

While the Cowboys would set an attendance record with 103,467, they would also likely shatter the record for most amount of chewing tobacco spat in one location.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco says he'll do a celebratory "Lambeau Leap" if he scores in Sunday's game at Lambeau Field.

And in future news, Chad Ochocinco has been beaten to death.

The Denver Broncos completed the longest game-winning play from scrimmage in the final minute of the fourth quarter in NFL history to defeat the Bengals Sunday.

Experts say this is the worst thing to ever happen to Cincinnati fans, next to having to actually live in Cincinnati.

Friday, September 11, 2009

In a city park stood two statues, one female and the other male. These two statues faced each other for many years.

Early one morning, an angel appeared before the statues and said, "Since the two of you have been exemplary statues and have brought enjoyment to many people, I am giving you your greatest wish. I herby give you the gift of life. You have 30 minutes to do whatever you desire."

And with that command, the statues came to life, smiled at each other, ran toward some nearby woods and dove behind a couple of bushes. The angel smiled to himself as he listened to the two statues giggling, bushes rustling and twigs snapping. After 15 minutes, the two statues emerged from the bushes, satisfied and smiling.

Puzzled, the angel looked at his watch and asked the statues, "You still have 15 minutes. Would you like to continue?"

The male statue looked at the female and asked, "Do you want to do it again?"Smiling, the female statue said, "Sure. But this time you hold the pigeon down and I'll crap on its head."

3. The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 85 mph. On Loop 101, your speed is expected to at least match the highway number. Anything less is considered 'Wussy'.

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Phoenix has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, East Valley , SUV-driving, cell phone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot.

6. Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously. It's another offense that can get you shot.

7. Road construction is permanent and continuous in Phoenix. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment pleasure during the middle of the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting.

9. Maricopa Freeway, Papago Freeway and the '10' are the same road unless it's the part of the I17 that is also called the Maricopa Freeway. SR202 is the same road as The Red Mountain FWY unless it's east of the 101 and then it becomes the SanTan, then it ends, and then becomes the SanTan again. SR 143 is a street AND a freeway at the same time. Either way, it's the Hohokam Expressway. No one really knows what purpose SR153 has exactly.· SR51 has been called both the Squaw Peak Freeway and Piestewa Freeway. Depends who's talking to you.. US60 on the east side is the Superstition Freeway. On the west side it's a diagonal road with lots of traffic lights that's best avoided altogether. Sometimes you'll hear things on the traffic reports that refer to 'the innerloop.' No one (besides traffic reporters) ever called anything in Phoenix by that name. Matter of fact, I'm not sure where that is exactly. Dunlap and Olive are the same street. Jefferson becomes Washington, but they are not the same street. SR 101 is the Pima FWY east of I-17, which is the Black Canyon FWY (south of the 101, north of the 101 it is Veterans Memorial HWY) unless you are south of the 202 then the 101 becomes the Price FWY. SR 101 west of I-17 (at all times) is the Agua Fria FWY. No one is quite sure where Bethany 's Home is. Lastly, Thunderbird Rd. becomes Cactus Rd. but, Cactus Rd. doesn't become Thunderbird Rd. because it dead ends at a mountain.

10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been 'accidentally activated.'

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55-65 mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be 'flipped off' accordingly. If you return the flip, you'll be shot.

12. For summer driving, it is advisable to wear potholders on your hands.

Friday, August 28, 2009

The Secretary of Defense is briefing President Bush on Iraq. "Yesterday, 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed.""Oh no!" exclaims the president, "That's terrible!"His staff is stunned at this unprecedented display of emotion, watching as Bush sits, head in hands.Finally, he looks up and asks,

Friday, August 21, 2009

If you ever feel a little bit stupid, just dig this up and read it again; you'll begin to think you're a genius. Here are a few quotes that make you say..."ummm...what?"

Question: If you could live forever, would you and why?Answer: "I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever,"

--Miss Alabama in the 1994 Miss USA contest.

"Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff."

--Mariah Carey

"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life,"

-- Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign .

"I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body,"

--Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky basketball forward.

"Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country,"

--Mayor Marion Barry, Washington , DC

"Half this game is ninety percent mental."

--Philadelphia Phillies manager, Danny Ozark

"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."

"If somebody has a bad heart, they can plug this jack in at night as they go to bed and it will monitor their heart throughout the night. And the next morning, when they wake up dead, there'll be a record."

Monday, August 17, 2009

Really? Was it necessary? Do they really cause problems? This article was in the Phoenix Business Journal. The Los Angeles Dodgers came to town for a weekend series with our Diamondbacks. A good crowd attended, mostly D-back fans, but of course, Dodger blue migrated to the valley to see their team. Apparently, Dodger fans exclusively, like to bring beach balls into the stadium to knock around during the game. Now I do not know the policy concerning these beach balls, but as long as they do not wind up on the field regularly, shouldn't they be allowed? Isn't that part of the fun they try to promote so you will go to a game?

Ushers at stadium entrances had fans take off their caps and hats and inspected bags. Just to find the beach balls? Isn't is overkill?

D-backs spokeswoman Catherine Herman said ushers were checking for the beach balls that Dodgers fans like to bring to games. Shouldn't they be more concerned with other think that can actually harm us?

I think that the beach balls shouldn't be a focused issue. By trying to eliminate them, aren't you encouraging them to bring more and sneak them?

They eluded to the fact that it was the Dodger's fans. If I wear Diamondback colors, can I bring a beach ball in? If this is the case, do we now have to have everyone undress to see if they have Dodger blue on underneath Diamondback red?

I just think its sad that they try to regulate something like this. I am sure they have better, more pressing things to attend to.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French, anticipating victory over the English, proposed to cut off the middle finger of all captured English soldiers. Without the middle finger, it would be impossible to draw the renowned English longbow and therefore be incapable of fighting in the future.

This famous weapon was made of the native English Yew tree, and the act of drawing the longbow was known as "plucking the yew." Much to the bewilderment of the French, the English won a major upset and began mocking the French by waving their middle fingers at the defeated French,saying, "See, we can still pluck yew! PLUCK YEW!"

Over the years, some 'folk etymologies' have grown up around this symbolic gesture. Since 'pluck yew' is rather difficult to say (like "pleasant mother pheasant plucker", which is who you had to go to for the feathers used on the arrows for the longbow), the difficult consonant cluster at the beginning has gradually changed to a labiodental fricative 'F', and thus the words often used in conjunction with the one-finger-salute are mistakenly thought to have something to do with an intimate encounter.

It is also because of the pheasant feathers on the arrows that the symbolic gesture is known as "giving the bird."

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Filling up long periods of time is difficult. Try to help a 5 year old do it. Now, imagine that wirey, energetic, non stop blur of a 5 year old couped up in a hospital room for a week. How do you do it? Well, if you are the Dad of such a child, you let that responsibility mostly fall on the Mom! One of Tasha's favorite activities, besides not eating and playing in the play center, is to color. She loves to color! So much in fact that one of the days I spotted her burnt, blistered finger, the one that they no longer wrap because it was healing, looked like it was either bleeding or severely burned! Upon further investigation and a little panic ( that's what Father's are for), I discovered that it was colored from the markers Tasha was using. Now, with all the fine pictures that have been created, what do you do with them? Throw them out? Not in front of the artist. You hang them on the wall, of course! Without further ado, here are just some of them:

This is a picture from stage left. You start to get the idea of how many there are. You will also see some of the cards and pictures that Tasha has received.

Her are more of them, stage right. At this point the artwork takes up about two thirds of the wall!

Center stage of course!

Here is a close up of one of the pictures Tasha helped H with. She has had lots of practice and is getting good!

Thank you to all the people that have given books and coloring markers and for all the fabulous gifts and cards and notes!

About Me

I should probably start with explaining the "Bill the Great". It was a nickname I aquired at and old job. I had not really thought of it in a long time until I was pondering a blog site name. It is not anything that I take seriously, so please, take it lightly! I grew up in Scottsdale and have lived my entire life in Arizona. I have been married for 16 years and have four children, Billy, Kyra, Tasha, and Payton.